Westside Digest

W. Hollywood : Sheriff on Call-In TV Show

Los Angeles County Sheriff Sherman Block will be the featured guest on "City on the Line," a West Hollywood cable television call-in program, July 27 at 7 p.m.

Although the sheriff's appearance on the program is aimed at promoting crime prevention, he is expected to field questions from viewers on a variety of subjects, a spokesman for the city's cable television division said.

West Hollywood pays the Sheriff's Department $8.6 million a year for police protection under a contract that expires next year.

The department last month conducted its first general recruitment drive for new deputies aimed at West Hollywood, where an estimated 35% of the 37,000 residents are gay. Gay activists have long criticized the department for not doing enough to recruit gays and lesbians.